Pierluisi Announces $34 Million in Federal Funds for Six Puerto Rico Universities

Press Release

Sept. 27, 2016

Funds will be provided over next five years and will be used to help 

students in fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics

Washington, DC—Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi announced today 

that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a total of $34 million in 

federal funding, to be provided annually over the next five years, to assist stu-

dents at six universities in Puerto Rico.  The funding is being provided pursu-

ant to the Hispanic Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering and 

Mathematics (HSI STEM) program, which aims to increase the number of His-

panic and low-income students who attain a four-year or two-year degree in 

STEM fields. 

Specifically, the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Baya-

món; Universidad del Este; Universidad Central de Bayamón; and Universidad 

Politécnica de Puerto Rico-San Juan will each receive approximately $1.2 milli-

on annually, or $6 million over five years; Humacao Community College will 

receive approximately $1.1 million annually, or $5.5 million over five years; 

and Dewey University-Carolina will receive nearly $1 million annually, or ab-

out $5 million over five years.

“Improving access to STEM programs for university students in Puerto Rico is 

of paramount importance.  It is critical that our nation’s most valuable asset, na-

mely our talented young men and women, continue to earn degrees in these com-

petitive fields, which are more relevant than ever before.  This significant fede-

ral funding will help our students to compete successfully in the global job mar-

ket,” said Pierluisi.